Rajab

Rajab (Arabic: رجب) is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar. The lexical definition of Rajaba is "To respect", of which Rajab is a deritive.This month is regarded as one of the four sacred months in Islam in which battles are prohibited. The pre-Islamic Arabs also considered warfare blasphemous during the four months, a view that has been confirmed in Islam. The month is also a prelude to the month of Ramadan, which follows after the intervening month of Sha'ban. Therefore, when Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) sighted the moon of Rajab, he used to pray to ALLAH in the following words:اللّهمّ بارك لنا في رجب و شعبان وبلّعنا رمضانAllahumma baa-rik-lanaa fee-rajaba wa sha'bana wa bal-lig-naa shah-ra ramadana"O ALLAH, make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)."

Islamic events taking place during Rajab

Moinuddin Chishti dargah, Ajmer, India

In the year 5 A.H Bilal ibn Harith is reported to have brought a congregation of four hundred men named Banu Muzeena in the presence of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). They all embraced Islam.

The Battle of Tabouk took place in the year 9 A.H. This was the last battle which Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) participated in.

The second Oath of Aqabah took place in Rajab, 12 A.H.

01 Rajab, birth of Imam, Muhammad al-Baqir

03 Rajab, death of Imam, Ali al-Naqi

05 Rajab, birth of Imam, Ali al-Naqi

06 Rajab, Sufi of Chishti Order celebrate the anniversary of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti

22 Rajab, Koonday (Table cloth dinner) is organized by Shia and Sunni (Not all, as it is controversial) among Muslims of South Asia. It is an occasion for Muslims to discuss ALLAH and the Ahlul Bayt and to strengthen ties among the community with love and compassion. It is reported to be a practice instructed by Imam, Jafar as-Sadiq. It is purported to be the day Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan died.

25 Rajab, death of Imam, Musa al-Kadhim

27 Rajab, Muslims observe the Miraj.It is a national holiday in some Muslim countries.

Timing

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Rajab migrates throughout the seasons.